Saturday, July 27, 2013

Coconut-weaving session: Using the Indigenous Art of Coconut Weaving to Improve Language Arts and Mathematics Skills

PIBBA Exhibit Participants

PIBBA Fellowship in Action!

FSM Delegation during the Opening Ceremony

Calling of the Kulo during the Pa'ok Ceremony

Pa'ok Masters take a pose with PIBBA participants

The 32nd Annual International Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) Conference held in the beautiful Pacific island of Guam was a success! The conference theme, “Indigenous Rights: Sacred and Secret ~ Direchon I Taotao Siha: Sagråda Yan Sikretu” was highlighted in each of the conference days from July 21-24, 2013. Each day featured the gathering of everyone singing the PIBBA song, which includes all the languages of the region, such as the following chorus: “Iokwe, Raan Annim, Kaselehlia, Alii, Aloha, Olomwaay, Hafa Dei, Tuwoh, Mogethin, Talofa.”

Among the entities that attended the conference this year are Pohnpei, CNMI, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Kosrae, and Chuuk. The mission of PIBBA is to bring these entities together to promote cultural and language activities by disseminating information, involving communities, and encouraging quality education programs through the western Pacific.

The first day of the PIBBA Conference began with a march
in the 69th Liberation Day Parade on Marine Corps Drive.Each entity wore their PIBBA shirts and waved
their flags proudly.They were later
hosted with a welcome dinner hosted at Lemai Café by GDOE CHamoru
Studies and Special Projects Division and CHamoru Language Teachers, and Former
PIBBA, International President Linda T. Edward and Family and Friends.

The second day of the
PIBBA Conference was held at the Latte of Freedom Multipurpose Cultural Center,
Hall of Governors Museum, R. J. Bordallo Governors Complex, Adelup.An opening ceremony included a Parade of
PIBBA Family with State and PIBBA Flags, and Song, Opening Chant by Fanlalai’an,
Fanohge CHamoru, and Inifresi.Opening Remarks were made by Rosa Salas Palomo, PIBBA, Guam Chapter President
and 2013 PIBBA Conference Co-Chair.Official
Welcoming Remarks were said by Palomo and PIBBA Guam President-Elect, Dr.
Arlene Diaz, in behalf of Peter Robert Onedera, PIBBA, International President,
2012-2013 and 2013 PIBBA Conference Co-Chair.There was also a presentation of the Legislative
Resolution by Vice-Speaker Benjamin Joseph Franquez Cruz, Mina’ 32 na
Leheslaturan Guam; Keynote Speech by Attorney Julian Aguon, International Human
Rights Lawyer, with focus on A Canvas to
Cover the Ocean; announcement in preparation
of I Pa’ok by Mr. Glenn Manglona;
and Plenary Speech by Ms. Theresa Cruz Arriola, FEST PAC 2016 Chairwoman, Guam Visitors
Bureau Board Member with focus on Autronesian
Languages.In addition, a special
lunch was hosted by the Department of Chamorro Affairs at I Sengsong Chamorro/Chamorro Village.The day ended with the I Pa’ok, A
CHamoru Cultural Experience at the Angel L.G. Santos Memorial (Latte) Park,
Hagåtña conducted by Glenn Manglona, Thomas D.Mendiola, Daniel Barcinas with
the assistance of Dr. Greg Tainatongo, and Toni ‘Malia’ Ramirez.

The third day of the
conference was held at Okkodo High School in Dededo.Continental breakfast was hosted by
Senator Jovita M. Taimanao, CNMI.Exhibits and a special PIBBA Silent Auction were held.The FEST PAC
2016 Panel began its discussion with Monica Guzman, Chair, Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities; Frank Rabon, Master of Chamorro Dance; Colleen Weller, Visual Arts Subcommittee; Jaweena Sablan Mendiola, Performing Arts Delegate; American Samoa and Solomon Islands; and John Ibanez, Vice Chair, Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities, Co-Chair, Literacy Arts Subcommittee.

Sessions included I
Fiñañagon I Fino’-ta Ta’lo, I Hinagong-ña Mo’na, The Conspiracy Behind the Fall of the Soudolours; Ma
Adahen I Fino’ Chamorro- Preserving of the Chamorro Language at the Post
Secondary Level; K5 – 3rd Grade Dual Language Arts (DLA) – A
Promising Program in Chuuk; The CNMI Public School System Chamorro Heritage
Studies Program at a Glance; The Sacred and Secret of Pohnpei Clan; 4-6 Dual
Language Arts (DLA) – A Promising Program in Chuuk; Using the Indigenous Art of
Coconut Weaving to Improve Language Arts and Mathematics Skills; The Indigenous
Hierachy of Responsibility as Associate to Traditional Titles; Teaching
Post-WWII Guam History with Chamorro Songs; Funds for the Improvement of
Education (FIE) Report; 7-8 Dual Language Arts (DLA) – A Promising Program in
Chuuk; Communicating Events, Telling Time by Animals and Plants; Art as
Behavioral Intervention; Cultural Handicrafts and Recyclable Materials; Få’in
Mariånas (Rice in the Marianas); Culturally Relevant Mathematics Activities;
and more.A special Fiesta Lunch Plate was hosted by
Dr. John Ray and Mrs. Serafina C. Taitano and the Young Men’s League of Guam
(YMLG) Ladies Auxiliary.

On the final day of the
conference the exhibits and silent auction culminated.The highlight was the 2012 and 2013 Indigenous
Teacher of the Year and Pioneer of the Year Awards announced by Dr. Matilda
Naputi Rivera, PIBBA TOY and POY Co-Chair and Senator Shelten Neth, 2011-2012.The memorable Proclamation Signing by Lt.
Governor of Guam, Ray Tenorio, was also held.In addition, the presentation of appreciation gifts to the delegations
were held, as well as the annual PIBBA International Meeting.The election of the 2013-2014 PIBBA
International Officers included President Masa-Aki Emesiochl; Theresa “Ewy”
Taitano, Secretary; Rosa Salas Palomo, Treasurer; Frances Sablan, Historian,
and Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Webmaster.

A historic tour of Guam conducted
by Anthony ‘Malia” Ramirez, Department of Parks and Historian, Department of
Parks and Recreation, and Recreation Office bus transportation was provided by
GPT, assisted by Dr. Greg Tainatongo.The night ended with a closing ceremony at the Carnival Grounds, Tiyan, and dinner was sponsored by the Mayors Council of Guam.Moreover, an In Memoriam Candlelight Ceremony
was conducted by Teresita C. Flores and Lois Gumataotao, as well as the passing
of the Key to Incoming PIBBA, International President by President Peter Robert
Onedera.The closing remarks were made
by PIBBA, Guam Chapter President-Elect, Dr. Arlene C. S. Diaz; and the
participants enjoyed the sights, sounds, and rides of the carnival grounds
until midnight.

Deep gratitude goes out to all PIBBA Conference steering committee members, and all the entities that joined us to make the 32nd Annual PIBBA Conference a memorable event that will always be remembered! Un Dangkulo Na Si Yu’os Ma’ase’! Kalahngan! Kommol tata! Kinissow! Mesulang! Kammagar!

Friday, July 19, 2013

The 28th Pacific Educational Conference (PEC) held in Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands was meaningful! The theme was “What Matters Most: Every Child, Every Single Day.” 89 Guam Delegation members participated, and many of them had the honor of presenting their educational workshops at the conference hosted July 16-19, 2013 at the Marianas High School. Their presentations included the following: Guam IRA’s Go Green Movement for Our Future, Understanding SAT10 Scores Using Percentile Scores, I’ve Got Character! The Colors of Us, A Presentation on an Alternative School Setting, Implementing STEM Education, Building Skills to Create a STEM Classroom Environment, Infusing STEM through Problem-Solving Activities, Professional Adult Learning Puts the ‘Learning’ Back in PLC’s, Academic Through a Healthier School Environment, Success for All (SFA) Solutions Network, Parent Family Community Outreach Program, Developing SMART Goals and Curriculum Maps, JFK High School Literacy Project: Every Child, Every Day, Literacy Techniques to Connect Reading and Writing to All Curriculum, Positive Behavior Supports and Interventions, Design Challenge: Modeling a STEM Approach, John Hopkins Talent Development Secondary Program - Oceanview Middle School, Southern High School’s RISE to Closing the Achievement Gap, My Personal Best for the Sake of the Rest, and Using Images, Sound, Touch and Movement in the Early Childhood Classroom.